Chicago police budget tops $2.2 billion as staffing questions persist

Chicago police officials are defending their staffing and deployment strategies as aldermen question whether the department has enough officers to meet the city's public safety needs.Chicago police budgetThe Chicago Police Department's proposed budget for next year totals $2.24 billion, up from $2.12 billion this year.During Wednesday's City Council budget hearing, Interim Police Superintendent Fred Waller outlined the department's priorities, including community policing, crime prevention and building trust between officers and residents.Waller said the department wants to be more proactive in addressing public safety concerns."We do this through expanding community partnerships and building trust with the residents we serve," Waller told aldermen.But questions about staffing remain a major part of the budget debate.Ald. Brendan Reilly questioned the elimination of 132 budgeted sworn-officer positions, and replaced them with civilian positions under Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed bu